An address, from the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; with a summary of its laws; and premiums offered. : [Two lines from Swift]

An address, from the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; with a summary of its laws; and premiums offered. : [Two lines from Swift]

Table of contents

Title page

PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE.

SUMMARY of the CONSTITUTION.

PREMIUMS proposed by the SOCIETY ▪

PRIZES proposed by the SOCIETY in 1786.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

AN ADDRESS, FROM THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE; WITH A SUMMARY OF ITS LAWS; AND PREMIUMS OFFERED.

[figure]

He who can make two ears of corn grow where only one grew before, ranks as a benefactor to society before all the heroes that ever existed.

SWIFT.

M.DCC.LXXXV.

PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE.

[Page]

THE very imperfect state of AMERICAN Husbandry in general, compared with that of some countries in Europe, is too well known to be controverted.

It was a conviction of our great inferiority, in this respect, which gave rise to the present Society, formed after the example of institutions in Europe, whose laudable endeavours to promote the Agriculture of their several countries, have been rewarded with the happiest effects. And here it may be observed that, the difficulties those societies had originally to overcome, were much greater than what we shall have to contend with: they found Husbandry, generally, in a rude and unprofitable state, and had to recommend improvements from single instances of more skilful and fortunate management, until the whole, from [Page] the force of imitation, gradually became more perfect.—But we, instead of solitary examples of extraordinary and successful conduct amongst ourselves, may have the established practice of entire nations to hold up, as an encouragement, which we purpose to lay before the public, from time to time.

The Husbandry of this country, and of England, were fifty years ago both imperfect, and perhaps nearly alike;—here it has ever since remained nearly stationary, there it has been continually advancing:—A short parallel, drawn between them in their present state, will shew how far they are now apart.

American Method:—Unproductive fallows precede crops; after crops, the land is generally given up for a number of years to weeds and poor natural grasses, until it shall come into heart again; the husbandman, in the mean while, employing his labours upon his other fields in succession.

English Method, with variations arising from soils and circumstances:—A field, when broken up, is manured with all the husbandman's force, [Page] and what is called a fallow crop taken off, that is such a crop as requires the frequent use of the plough or the hoe, as in turnips, potatoes, beans, &c. the land is then laid down in some kind of grain and clover, the last continuing sometimes two or three years, which is succeeded by wheat upon a single ploughing.—This course, or rotation of crops, is then renewed in the same order, the land never being idle or resting, as it is called.

This new practice is allowed to possess many advantages over the old, which is almost entirely renounced in England, but retained in America.

The manures used in the first instance, are applied to produce the best possible effect;—they go to benefit the whole course, be it for four or five years.—

The land is made perfectly mellow, and clean before it is laid down to grass, or sowed with grain; it being an established maxim, never to do either, until the earth is well pulverised, and its natural weeds, and those arising from the dung, fully extirpated by repeated plowings.

[Page]The land is neither hardened by rest, nor exhausted by rank weeds, which impoverish as much as a crop.

A greater abundance of grass, and other food for cattle, is obtained; more stock maintained, more dung made, and the whole products much greater.

The labour in such a course or rotation, though it requires considerable accuracy, does not follow so close, is not so hurried, and upon the whole not so great as in the former management.

And lastly; less land may be employed in culture.—

In this system, we shall remark that, wheat for instance, is produced on the same field but once during the whole course; but, skilful farmers so distribute their business, as to have one of their fields every year in wheat, and so of the other articles of crop—and of clover, which is supposed to last two years, of consequence two fields.

As more of art and contrivance, suggested by necessity and long experience, is manifested in the [Page] rural affairs of that country, than in our own,—it should not surprise us that the management of their farm-yards is orderly and systematic; to which are owing such prodigious accumulations of manures, as will enable the farmer in England to prosecute, to much greater extent and effect, his mode of Husbandry, than what can be attempted in America, until his oeconomy in this important article shall, by degrees, be introduced amongst us.

It may not be amiss to lay down in a few words, the general principles of this management, which will be found as widely different from ours, as is the system of cropping.

The barn, cattle-houses, sheds, stacks, &c. are so disposed round the farm-yard, as to afford the best winter shelter for live stock.

No cattle are suffered to run out between November and May, but are all shut up and fed in the farm-yard—foddering in the fields occasioning great waste; and dung not lying there in sufficient heaps to produce fermentation, being thought of little account in manuring.

[Page]To the farm-yard is brought, the whole straw of the farm, sometimes leaves, fern, &c.—to be trampled on and converted into manure.

The yard is often bottomed with a layer of the richest earths that can be found, which is thrown up in the Spring, and mixed with the dung.

Societies abroad have proceeded by occasional communications of improved methods, and by honorary premiums given for experiments made. It is the design of this Society to tread in their steps; and they hope, they address themselves to a people sufficiently liberal to reject no practice they shall recommend, merely because it is new, or runs counter to former habits and prejudices;— they freely invite communications, upon all subjects comprehended within their extensive plan, and hope from their example to promote lesser institutions, of a similar nature, in different parts of the country amongst neighbours, each one exciting a spirit of improvement within its proper sphere.

[Page]A Summary of the Society's Constitution is subjoined; together with Premiums offered upon proposed subjects.—Some of the particulars contending for premiums, require a length of time, a series of years, to ascertain them by experiment; others are already experienced by individuals, or may be within the year.

SUMMARY of the CONSTITUTION.

THE Society's attentions shall be confined to Agriculture and rural Affairs; especially for promoting a greater increase of the products of land within the American states. The members are distinguished into Residing Members, or Members, and Honorary Members, (that is, Corresponding Members.) Members to be hereafter added, are to be elected out of such persons only as reside within a ready distance to attend the meetings at Philadelphia with convenience; and those are defined to be only such as shall reside within ten miles of the said city, on either side of the Delaware: All Members of Agricultural Societies in other states or countries, with whom the Society shall correspond, and all persons of this and other states or countries, who shall be elected for the purpose [Page] by the Society, are to be Honorary (or corresponding) Members, and will be invited to assist the Society, whenever they come to Philadelphia: Besides they will have a right to be present at the meetings, without being invited.—Strangers, who have a propensity to Agriculture, and wish to attend, as Auditors, may be introduced by a Resident Member.—The Society will publish select collections of memoirs and observations on subjects communicated to them. They will annually propose prizes, upon interesting subjects relative to actual experiments and improvements, and for the best pieces written on proposed subjects.— All claims for prizes are to be in writing; and when read, the Society will determine, upon every prize, which of the claims are most worthy to be selected for the definitive judgment on a future comparison of them: This judgment is to be given on the first Monday in February:—In the same meeting is to be determined the subjects to be proposed for prizes the next year; which will be announced in the public Newspapers. The Society will promote the establishment of other Agricultural Societies in the principal places in the country; the Members of these Societies will be [Page] requested to attend the meetings as often as they come to Philadelphia; and the friends of Agriculture are invited to assist the Society with information of experiments and incidents in Husbandry. Premiums and prizes are equally due to persons residing in any of these states, according to the merit of their respective exhibitions. Honorary Members may be of any nation in the world.

PREMIUMS proposed by the SOCIETY ▪

1. For the best experiment made of a course of crops, either large or small, or not less than four acres, agreeable to the principles of the English mode of farming, mentioned in the aforegoing Address,—a piece of plate of the value of two hundred dollars, inscribed with the name and the occasion: and, for the experiment made of a course of crops next in merit,—a piece of plate, likewise inscribed, of the value of one hundred dollars. Certificates to be produced by the 20th of December, 1790.

2. The importance of complete farm or fold-yards, for sheltering and folding cattle —and of a preferable method of conducting the same, for [Page] procuring great quantities of compost or mixed dung and manure, within the husbandman's own farm, induces the Society to give, for the best design of such a yard and method of conducting it, suitable to this climate and circumstances of common farmers,—a gold medal:—and, for the second best, a silver medal. The design to be presented to the Society by the 20th of December next.

3. For the best method of counteracting the injurious effects of frost, in heaving or spewing up ground, and exposing roots of wheat to the drying winds of the Spring,—founded in experience, a gold medal: and, for the second best, a silver medal. The account to be presented to the Society by the 20th of December next.

4. The best method of raising hogs, from the pig, in pens or sties, from experience, their sometimes running in a lot or field not totally excluded, if preferred,—a gold medal: and, for the second best, a silver medal. To be produced by the 20th of December next.

[Page]5. The best method of recovering worn-out fields to a more hearty state, within the power of common farmers, without dear or far-fetched manures; but, by judicious culture, and the application of materials common to the generality of farmers; founded in experience;—a gold medal: and, for the second best, a silver medal. To be produced by the 20th of December, 178 [...].

6. The best experiment, in trench-plowing▪ not less than ten inches deep,—and account of the effects thereof, already made or to be made, on not less than one [...]re,—a gold medal: and, for the second best, a silver medal. To be produced by the 20th of December, 178 [...].

7. The best field of clover on a farm, quality and quantity to be considered with the quantity of the arable of the whole farm, and previous state and quality of the soil; not less than ten acres of clover;—a gold medal: and, for the second best, a silver medal. To be produced by the 20th of December, 1787.

[...]. The greatest quantity and variety of good [Page] manure, collected in one year, and best managed, from materials common to most farms; regard to be had to the proportion and goodness of such manure, and the quantity and goodness of the arable and grass-lands of the whole farm on which it is obtained,—a gold medal: and, for the second best, a silver medal. To be claimed by the 20th of December, 178 [...].

[...]. The best information, sounded in actual experience, for preventing damage to crops by insects; especially the wheat-fly, the pea-bug, and the corn chinch-bug or fly;—a gold medal:— a silver medal for the second best. To be produced by the 20th of December [...].

[...]. The best comparative experiments on the culture of wheat, by sowing it in the common broad-cast way, by drilling it, and by setting the grain, with a machine, equidistant; the quantities of seed, and produce, proportioned to the ground, being noticed;—a gold medal: for the second best a silver medal. The account to be produced by the 10th of January, 178 [...].

[Page]1 [...]. An account of a vegetable food that may be well procured and preserved, and that best encreases milk in cows and ewes, in March and April, founded [...]n experience,—a gold medal: for the second best, a silver medal. To be produced by the 10th of January, 178 [...].

12. The best method of raising the white and and other thorns from seed, in clay ground, from experience,—a gold medal: the second best, a silver medal. To be produced by the 20th of December, 1787.

[...]. The greatest quantity of ground, well fenced, in locust trees or poles of the sort used for posts and trunnels, growing in 1789, from seed sown after this time, not less than one acre, nor fewer than 1500 per acre,—a gold medal: for the second, a silver medal. To be claimed in December, 1789.

☞ The claim of every candidate for a premium, is to be accompanied with, and supported by, certificates of respectable persons, of competent knowledge of the subject:—and it is [Page] required that the matters, for which premiums are offered, be delived in without names,—or any intimation to whom they belong; that each particular thing, be marked in what manner the claimant thinks fit; such claimant sending with it, a paper sealed up, having on the outside a corresponding mark, and on the inside the claimant's name and address.

Respecting experiments on the products of land, circumstances of the previous and subsequent state of the ground, particular culture given, general state of the weather, &c. will be proper to be in the account exhibited. Indeed, in all experiments and reports of facts, it will be well to particularise the circumstances attending them.— It is recommended that reasoning, be not mixed with the facts: after stating the latter, the former may be added and will be acceptable.

[Page]

PRIZES proposed by the SOCIETY in 1786.

[...]. The Society believing that very important advantages would be derived from the general use of oxen, instead of horses, in husbandry and other services; and being desirous of facilitating their introduction into all these states; persuaded also, that the comparative value of oxen and cows must very much depend on the qualities of their sires and dams; and that by a careful attention to the subject, an improved breed may be obtained: They propose a gold medal for the best essay, founded in experience, on the breeding, feeding and management of cattle, for the purpose of rendering them most profitable for the dairy and for beef, and most docile and useful for the draught; and for the next best a silver medal: to be produced by the first of January 178 [...].

N. B. Among other things, the essay should notice the different breeds of cattle, and their comparative qualities; as their sizes, strength, facility in fattening, quantity of milk, &c.

15. It is a generally received opinion, that horses in a team travel much faster than oxen: yet some European writers on husbandry mention [Page] many instances, in which it appeared, not only that oxen would plough as much ground as an equal number of horses; but also travel as fast with a loaded carriage; particularly when, instead of yokes and bows, they were geared in horse-harness, with such variations as were necessary to adapt it to their different shape. To ascertain the powers of oxen in these particulars, and the expence of maintaining them, the society deem matters of very great moment; and are therefore induced to offer a gold medal for the best set of experiments undertaken with that view; and for the next best, a silver medal. In relating these experiments, it will be proper to describe the age and size of the oxen, their plight, the kinds and quantities of their food, the occasions, manner and expence of shoeing them▪ in travelling, the kinds of carriages used and weight of their loads, the seasons of the year, and the length and quality of the roads; and in ploughing, the size and fashion of the plough, the quality of the soil, the depth of the furrows, and the quantities ploughed; and in every operation, the time expended, and number and sorts of hands employed in performing it; with any other circumstances which may more fully elucidate the subject. These experiments [Page] will enable the essayist to determine what will be the best form and construction of yokes and bows, and what of ox harness, to enable oxen, with the best carriage of their bodies and heads, the most ease, and quickest step, to draw the heaviest loads; a description of each of which sort of gears, explained on mechanical principles, must be subjoined to the account of experiments: to be produced by the first day of January▪ 178 [...].

16. For the best method, within the power of common farmers, of recovering old gullied fields to a hearty state, and such uniformity, or evenness of surface, as will again render them fit for tillage; or, where the gullies are so deep and numerous as to render such recovery impracticable, for the best method of improving them, by planting trees, or otherwise, so as to yield the improver a reasonable profit for his expences therein, founded in experience, a gold medal; and for the next best, a silver medal: to be produced by the first of January, 1790.

17. For the greatest quantity, not less than five hundred pounds weight of cheese, made on one farm in any of these states, equal i [...] dr [...]ess, richness [Page] and flavour, to the Cheshire cheese usually imported from England, and which shall be produced to the society by the first day of January, 1788, a gold medal; and for the next greatest quantity, not less than two hundred and fifty pounds weight, of like quality, a silver medal. Besides which, the society engage to pay for the cheese so produced, at the rate of 10 per cent. more than the then current wholesale price at Philadelphia, of Cheshire cheese, of the same quality.

Note. All the prizes (or premiums) proposed last year, are continued; and in cases where the claims for prizes were to have been made by the 20th of December 1785, the time is prolonged to the 20th of December 1786.

Although the society reserve to themselves the power of giving, in every case, either one or the other of the prizes (or premiums) as the performance shall be adjudged to deserve, or of witholding both, if there be no merit; yet the candidates may be assured, that the society will always judge liberally of their several claims.

TIMOTHY PICKERING, Secretary.

Information about this book

Title statement

An address, from the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; with a summary of its laws; and premiums offered. : [Two lines from Swift]

Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2005-03.

ID [DLPS]

N15118

ID [TCP]

N15118

ID [STC]

Evans 19193

ID [NOTIS]

APW5644

ID [IMAGE-SET]

19193

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99011768

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Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 19193.

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(Evans-TCP ; no. N15118)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 19193)

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Source

— An address, from the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture; with a summary of its laws; and premiums offered. : [Two lines from Swift], Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture..

Extent

20 p. ; 23 cm. (8vo)

s.n.],. [Philadelphia :: M.DCC.LXXXV. [1785]. (Two states noted. The first has 16 p.; the second, 20 p.) (Seal of the society on title page.)

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